The following text may have been generated by Optical Character Recognition, with varying degrees of accuracy. Reader beware!

PAGE 14, WYHMIY FREE PR~ESS, WEDNESDAY, SEFITEMBER 26,1990 Rose of Durha*m is homenawaymfromhome By Trudie Zavadovics A driving foroe in her home for the past 33 years, Betty VanHez- wick has been the driving foroe behind the Rose of Durham for the past two years. Thismonth, the founder of the home-away-from-home for unwed mothers retires from her full- time position at the Rose of Durhamn to take on a part-time role. The change will allowher more time withher husband and six children. She remains the board's chairman. VanHezwick began the Rose of Durhamn to help young women who unexpectedly became preg- nant. She started by roviding a cltigexchange fromn her home to give young mothers help with the initial expense of lothing their babies. As the service grew, VanHezwick found she had no choice but to find a binger place. VanHezwick started the centre, but not without the help of the community. -The centre consista of a lovely five-room fiat where unwed mothers and moth- ers-to-be can meet, and both receive and give support to one another. Women can take a break from their littie ones who are watched by capable volunteers. There are exercîse classes, studying, for continuing, education courses, crafts, vidleos and, for the expec- tant mom, there are pre-natal classes. Counselling and pastoral ser- vices are also available at the centre. F rom the clothing exchange, each mother is gien a starter set for her child including bas- sinet, blankets and baby cl=e. The mother-to-be can avail her- self of maternity lothes through the exchange program. DURHAM Location: 761 Simcoe St. S. Oshawa Purpose To teach Young, expectant mothers home living élis; to encourage continuing education;' to Provi*de counselling; to create public awareness. Funding Donations" Contact: Laurel Hamilton, Co-ordinator 432-3622 A woman is taught to sew, cook and budget so she can better cope with caring for her- self and hier baby. «Ites a home awaty from home » says VanHezwick. 'The girls learn life skills and can take a break from their babies. We make sure the programs give enoug for the, Young momns- VanHezwick would like to have a home where unwed moms-to-be could stay until they gton their feet, in affordable «These are people in our own community, we should look after ourownpeole. ]Pd like to have a triplx rapartment building to fîlfona steady basis. Housing is very badly needed. «There is an- acute shortage of housing. (Once the rent is paid) UISA SWEEI'ING and son Gage during open house at the Rose of Durham. Ofris Bovie photo there's not enough money for incidentals,» -says VanHezwick. "The need is there." One of- the immediate vale is to apply for funding to o tain a residence. "I think we had -te show firat who we were,» says VanHezwick. <«For two years we've depended on charitable donations from such o*rganizations as the Knights of Columbus, Christian Reform Church, as well as many other menibers of the com- mumity. Other. agencies have been very supportive. They gave us instant help.» In -the two years the Rose of Durhamn has been open, help has been given ta close ta 150 unwed mothers. "We don't take over, we sup- port and help. It's still her baby. Many women are tired and des. pondent or,~discouragew4- lookini, after their babies 24 hours a day. It helps increase self-esteem, bring the person back ta where she started as an individual. Its a support system within a sup- port system.' VanHezwick says she encourages communication bet- -ween moins and their parents. They also run a support group for parents. There are 21 different areas for volunteering, from labor coaching to helplng in the home or driving moms where they need ffauias daughter is a year old. Paula heard about the Rose of Durham when she found out she was pregnant. For the most part, she found support and comn- panionship at the Rose of Dur- am. There was a time when she came every day (except weekends when the centre is cosed. Now she drops ini every now and then. 'Tve grown up ja lot," Bays Paula. "They taught me cooking, crafts and gave me counsellingr. NowrFm going back to schoôl. (She's taking family studies and English). And they taught me budgeting." Paula says it was a difficult adjustment ta look after herself and her daughter, Getting used ta the idea there were two >04hety show you that you have ta care about yourself and your baby.» Puawas 16 when her daughter was born. Tlhe message she h as *for other young women i her position is ta get hep. 'Don't be scared. There are a lot of people out there willing ta heDoyou.e information caîl 432- 4622. DIea~e Decycle This Newspaper q I